MainStage Tutorial | Customizing the Layout - Part 2

This video covers Part 2 of our MainStage series, where we discuss how to create layouts for the gear you have - including production tips and tricks and a downloadable template at brian-nagel.com/product/mains...
Video Contents:
01:33 - Layout Goals
02:04 - My Ideal Setup
03:19 - Section 1 - Designing the Layout
13:28 - Layout for Drum Pads
16:02 - Section 2 - Concert Level Settings
19:25 - Section 3 - Patch Setup
22:39 - Conclusion + Free Download
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[@nathankalubankay3281]

Just got my Macbook and this us exactly what I wanted. Thanks fro the Template.

[@enhee0203]

so much thank You Brian Nagel. God Bless You

[@docsethgillham]

Thank you soooooo much! Best video I’ve seen and for free. God bless my friend

[@ultrasoundconcept]

This Video was amazing, Thank You.

[@pacorodriguez6804]

Muchas gracias por esta explicación. Thank you very much friend

[@miccahpocopanni5530]

Thank you so much for the script. I’ve always wanted to use my own custom pads for a drone but haven’t been able to achieve it. With the script i can.

[@rocketmanstudio]

Wow!! You nailed it my friend you are so right, 99% of everything on KZbin pertaining to these set ups is all based off of templates, that just doesn't help me one bit. I even payed one church video website for a years subscription not knowing everything is based off their template. I'm an old geazer studio/session/ touring keyboardist for 30+ years, I've done the whole church musician for big mega churches and now I'm just wanting to simplify my rig since all I do now is play festivals and the problem there is they already have a back line and you have 25 min to set up hence why I've moved to Mainstage, got tired of lugging 2 Motifs, plus midi synth around. Thank you so much for your huge insight loved both your videos.

[@BrianNagel]

rocketmanstudio Appreciate the feedback! Best of luck with everything...and definitely enjoy the process. :-)

[@Vicktorkings]

Thank you.

[@fruticoll]

Mil gracias Son excelentes recursos, en español ojalá los pudieses explicar.. pero fresco ahí te entiendo lo que gráficamente haces

[@Jerryshock23]

Hello thank you so much for this videos i watched both videos and i understand better how to create my own templates, God bless you bro

[@MJTIbes]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. Unfortunately I could not open de concert. It said it is from an older version of MS. I use 3.4.4. Thank you again for your great contribution!!

[@BrianNagel]

Hi Martin - it's been a few versions since this template was made. :-) I went and re-saved it with the latest version I have running on my system now. If you download it again, you hopefully won't have any trouble!

[@MJTIbes]

@@BrianNagel Thank you so much!!

[@garycoots5629]

Brian, thank you so much! I watched Part 1 and this part 2 and learned a lot. I am having trouble finding a straight forward tutorial on hooking up my Nanokontrol2 with Mainstage so I can mute instruments and control their volumes. I have my sounds ready to go in my concert but don't know how to map the nano to mute, control volume, etc. Do you have any advice or know of a good tutorial?

[@BrianNagel]

Gary - Glad it helps! Part 1 should give you a sense for it, as it starts with (1) having a Layout control for the elements in your hardware and (2) going in Edit and then mapping the parameters you want to affect. Just rinse and repeat for the different parts of your nanokontrol and patches...if helpful, my Part 2 template is pre-mapped for a Nanokontrol2, so download that and hopefully it can help you see how it was set up.

[@garycoots5629]

@@BrianNagel AWESOME, Brian, thanks so much for the rapid reply. I'll download the template first thing in the morning! God bless! 🎶😎

[@Ajay.226]

Please Make some patch building layers tutorial

[@Darcity1]

Brian your videos have helped me the best and made it very easy to navigate and customize Mainstage ! I always wondered what happened to part 2 lol! How can I contact you on social media? I’m just getting used to my Keylab mkii and would like your input on a few things. I would like to donate but I dont use PayPal

[@BrianNagel]

Darrell - glad it’s been helpful! You can connect with me via Twitter @bwnagel or Instagram @briannagel

[@lukather1]

Brian I’ve just downloaded your concert ! Amazed brilliant ! I’ve just connected my fbv2 and working through setting midi up I love the flexibility ! Sounds ! Couple of questions - 1 can I just replace the plugins and synths you use in your patches it’s others ? I use Synthmaster one ? Presume all the effects will work across any plugin 2 Any way I can reduce CPU usage should I just remove channel strips or switch effects off ? Can I also integrate other pre made patches ? Many thanks 🙏🏻

[@BrianNagel]

christopher - Absolutely - the other thing I’d caution you on would be to not replace the entire channel strip unless you want to remap the buttons for the FX, as each of the buttons/tone control are for the patch in question. So, for example, if you want to swap out the piano sound, just change the EXS24 plugin for something else (I actually use Kontakt’s pianos myself). In terms of CPU usage, if you’re spiking a bit, the best thing to do would be to disable/bypass both plugins and channel strips that you do not use. I’ve built that into many parts of this template, so you should be able to reverse engineer that as well (where the effect is bypassed until you press the button, or if the fader is at 0 the channel strip is bypassed). On a 2015 MacBook Air at church, I rarely get over 35% cpu usage. Hope that helps!

[@lukather1]

Brian Nagel - thankyou so much for the promp reply - I use your template with my guitar midi controller and the new FM3 from fractal to great some brilliant sounds scapes I have a 2011 i7 8gb ram and it does peak at 80% when I introduce other plugins it does hit out ! I’ll disable as you say What about free patches from other worship groups - I don’t have there template - would any of these auto populate your template ? Or would I use your blank template or a new mainstage concert and covert manually Regards ❤️😎

[@BrianNagel]

christopher - it’d be a manual convert if you get other templates, as I didn’t intend to build any compatibility between them. But mix and match as you desire and enjoy the process!

[@lukather1]

Brian Nagel Many thanks 😊 - I am still having CPU issues with only one instance of Synthmaster and most of the other plugs disabled or off ! It’s running around 45% and then overload with a couple of channels running Think it’s a dual processor with 4 core Would a ssd make any significant difference as I only have a stander 1tb hd Thanks

[@BrianNagel]

christopher short Yes, upgrading to an SSD is one of the better moves you can make to increase performance.

[@88omarz]

have you seen the new sunday keys layout, you know how they accomplish the shimmer and the ability to create custom patches?

[@BrianNagel]

Yes, I have (purchased a license awhile back and got the upgrade)...their shimmer is described here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJuwi419er9saLc As far as their custom patches go, they do a lot of intense and creative programming to get their results and it’s a pretty thorough and impressive setup. I would suggest watching a bit of their channel if you haven’t already, and you’ll get a big-picture sense for how they go about it. I’d honestly recommend purchasing their template and reverse-engineering their method - quite a learning experience!

[@ChicoChagasmusica]

Hi Brian, thanks for these amazing videos! My togger (up, on the right) desapear, I've tried many things... but without sucsses. Can you help me? Regards from Brazil

[@BrianNagel]

Acordeonistico Glad they have been helpful! I’m not sure exactly what you mean in terms of your togger disappearing...can you send screenshot via Twitter @bwnagel? I’ll see what I can assist with.

[@ChicoChagasmusica]

@@BrianNagel Thank you. I have not Twitter. Are you on Instagram?

[@BrianNagel]

Acordeonistico Yes! Find me @briannagel

[@lukather1]

Could you do a video about multi function / parameters for buttons and sliders ? How to assign thankyou

[@BrianNagel]

christopher - Check out 21:35 in this video where I briefly talk about it. Admittedly deconstructed this idea from the Sunday Keys template, but you effectively (1) select the layout control, (2) add a mapping, (3) choose which parameter it adjusts. Rinse and repeat for what you want each layout element to control.

[@abolit]

how do you map your VST controls - reverb, delay (not from logic but from VST itself)? thanks

[@BrianNagel]

Abolit - so if I understand your question, it comes it two spots: (1) Layout Mode - add a visible element to control the parameter and assign the desired knob/button/fader. (2) Edit Mode - select the button/knob/fader and assign it to the desired control parameter of the effect/plugin either by Mapping and then dragging or using the Map Parameter option in the middle. Feel free to download the linked template to reverse-engineer it.

[@crazylegscooper100]

Great Tutorial many thanks, as a drummer I use a designated Pad to strike for next Patch in program change, is it possible when to activate sound of drone at same time (simultaneously)? without going to Pad Button, many thanks, Steve

[@BrianNagel]

Sure thing, Steve - check out what I describe starting in 21:35, where you can have a single layout option control multiple parameters. I think this is what you’re looking for.

[@crazylegscooper100]

@@BrianNagel Thank you Brian, I will take it slowly and surely, Steve

[@BrianNagel]

@@crazylegscooper100 Enjoy the process!

[@MikeNeaves99]

Hi Brian, I have just purchased an M-Audio Oxygen 49 and Mainstage running on a Mac. I can't work out how set up the keyboard and pad area to operate independently. The pad is fixed to MIDI channel 10 but when I try to assign drums to the pad and piano to the keys, pressing the pad buttons triggers a key depression om the keyboard. Can you advise or point me to help in setting up please?

[@BrianNagel]

Hi Michael - I think you’re halfway there! Splitting the channels on your hardware helps, but then MainStage has both Layout/Edit options for what channels it “listens” for…check out this article from Apple: support.apple.com/guide/mainstage/tips-for-performing-with-keyboard-controllers-mstga816c1c3/3.5/mac/10.15 I believe you’re looking to adjust your Keyboard channel strips in the Edit screen so they only listen for one MIDI channel. Enjoy the process!

[@aaronboothe283]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I am very new to the mainstage program. If I am only running 1 88 key keyboard with your layout, how would i move the top keyboard sounds down to the lower 88 key keyboard?

[@BrianNagel]

Hi Aaron Boothe - no such thing as a dumb question, they say! So if you’re using the downloaded project, the easiest would be to assign the second keyboard in the Layout mode to be the same as your main keyboard. Next, if necessary, go to the default template and each channel strip has a MIDI Input option so you can choose which keyboard controls the sounds. Hope that helps!

[@aaronboothe283]

That worked perfectly! Thanks so much

[@3echopropertyinspections220]

@BrianNagel I hope I'm not to late. Is this still available for download? I tried to download this template from your website, but could not figure out how to get pass the "Cart and Information" pages.

[@BrianNagel]

Hello! You should be able to just proceed by adding the template to your Cart (name your own price), viewing the cart, and then following the check-out process from there. Here's a direct link to the Template: brian-nagel.com/product/mainstage-2-keyboard-template/

[@peterloreen-drumstv8475]

My Mainstage is working fine but suddenly the mapping changes sync. can you help me How to sync the octave in the keyboard controller into mainstage, for example im holding C0 in the controller but in the mainstage it is C4, please notice me

[@BrianNagel]

I would first check your controller to ensure you don’t have an octave button selected. If it still is doing it, in MainStage’s Edit mode, look to see if you have any MIDI FX on in the channel strip, as there are options to modify the octaves there. Finally, in the MIDI input tab of the patch, you can also control which section of the piano triggers which notes...can check to see if anything is different there.

[@lukather1]

Hi Brian some of the buttons don’t work on the template ? Is there a reason ? Thanks

[@BrianNagel]

christopher - This template is less of fully-fledged, out-of-the-box solution like some of the other paid templates out there, but more of an example of what you can do with your playing philosophy and how to build something from the ground up. With that being said, it works great for me in my scenario, but unless you have the exact same hardware/software as I do, you’ll likely need to check the button mappings on Layout and Edit screens so they control the parameters you desire. I’d recommend to use this video and the template as a learning resource so you can then create/adjust to your own needs!

[@lukather1]

Brian Nagel many thanks 🙏🏻 I have a Novation sl 61 your templates are ace love them

[@BrianNagel]

christopher short Appreciate it! Just spend some time mapping the screen elements in Layout mode and you should be pretty good to go there. Enjoy!

[@criqdekuyper9259]

I notice that you do not use aliases. Is it because you are setting different saved values for each patch?

[@BrianNagel]

Correct - and with the "patchless" philosophy, there wouldn't be a ton of pre-loading of the concert needed, so I've found my cpu level to be very reasonable. There's also a programming trick that bypasses the plugin when the fader's all the way down.

[@criqdekuyper9259]

Brian Nagel hmmm, please explain. I’m always trying to streamline my setup. I am a multi-controller user to keep my patch changes to a minimum. I currently don’t have issues with cpu or disk transfer as I’m using pretty new hardware these days, but every trick helps.

[@BrianNagel]

Criq deKuyper Absolutely - I use the method explained in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp2ll5Vrib95frc David has a variety of tips that help with CPU load.

[@elyjojcochoy9126]

Bro I wish I could watched how to map with your midi controller... because when I mapp the bottoms sometimes they just mapp 3 bottoms in 1... u know what I mean?

[@BrianNagel]

I have seen sometimes where, depending on your controller, the buttons have some “crosstalk” where you press one but it triggers others near/around it. Silly thing, but I’d say just be gentle when you’re pressing the button to assign. You can also go to the Mappings and Assignments view where it lists all assigned options and remove the extras.

[@elyjojcochoy9126]

@@BrianNagel I’ll still try to figure it out! Thanks

[@JeffreySaxophoneTallNewton]

Are you actually using a mouse on the gig with a non-touch screen laptop, such as my MacBook Pro M1? Or is everything mapped to your hardware knobs, sliders, etc? Or are you using an iPad for this? Thanks!

[@BrianNagel]

Hi Jeffrey - I map everything to hardware knobs/sliders/buttons. The mouse was only to assist with the screen recording. :-)

[@JeffreySaxophoneTallNewton]

@@BrianNagel Cool! I'm watching Part 1 and following its directions with my new Mainstage. Flawless up until the CPU text insert; MS is "fiddy" on letting me do this for some reason. Hopefully you cover that mapping and also using VSTs (Pianoteq, IK Multimedia B3-X, various Kontakt instruments (Scarbee Rhodes). Or do I even have to USE Kontakt? Will Scarbee, etc. run with just Mainstage as a Host? Couldn't find an answer to this anywhere! Great video, easy to follow instructions! I watched a couple other MS videos from other sources and it came off as way to complicated, so I got the Gig Performer trial, but it didn't suit me. Thanks again!

[@BrianNagel]

@@JeffreySaxophoneTallNewton Happy to hear you’ve found these useful! I haven’t posted a video on hardware mappings, as I feel like there’s enough of those floating around. As long as you have the layout elements, I feel like the hardware is very straightforward. And yes, working with text can be pretty annoying in MainStage. In terms of VSTs and plugins, I tend to also leave those to sound designers to talk about. I’m a native instruments guy myself, but again so much personal preference for those! Personally, I’m more interested in the folks talking about sound design and how to craft your own presets, rather than shopping too much for the “perfect sound”.

[@JeffreySaxophoneTallNewton]

@@BrianNagel I don't feel so bad about my troubles with text now! As to VST, I merely mean how to use them. I see now that Kontakt does show up as a VST choice here on Mainstage. I was hoping that MS itself would function as the host and Kontakt would not be needed (Kontakt is a drag in a lot of ways). I have Ivory on my Windows machine and it runs through Cantabile, but Cantabile is Windows only. My MS project is for my new Macbook Pro with the M1 chip, and Ivory (through email) informs me that they are still working on making Ivory M1 compatible. So, how to run Ivory on my Mac in Mainstage? Pianoteq and the IK MM B3 loaded right up. I guess I'm stuck with Kontakt for Scarbee Rhodes... Unless I can find a more lightweight VST host for MS ... I don't plan on running the NI factory library on my Mac, as the MS / Mac project is for gigging and I don't need those sounds for that!

[@BrianNagel]

@@JeffreySaxophoneTallNewton So MainStage IS the host, in that when you have your VSTs installed on your Mac, MainStage can utilize them. Simply select your desired plug-in/VST from the top of any channel strip (while in Edit mode). You do not need to run Kontakt or any other plug-in separately and, from what I’ve heard/seen, you should not have any performance issues on those M1 Macs - they are impressive!